There are growing concerns over the brazenness and audacity of criminal networks including bandits, terrorists operating on social media platforms, especially TikTok. This has posed the question as to how these platforms allow armed groups to bypass traditional gatekeepers and communicate directly with followers, potential recruits and victims. ALAO ABIODUN writes about their modus operandi, open display of criminal activities.

Resting under the shade of the wide-spreading branches of a deciduous tree with a motorcycle in the background, suspected bandit, Sule Yellow, who appears to be in his late 20s, and other gang members wearing camouflage and bearing AK-47 rifles appeared on a Chinese-owned social network, TikTok livestream, through his now-deactivated account @SuleYellow6.

At first glance, it appeared bizarre. He grinned at the camera, seemingly unfazed by the implications of his actions. He spoke in a local Hausa dialect.

In no time, many other Nigerian users joined the livestream. The comment section got flooded with series of reactions. He appeared with another suspected bandit called Auta and other members of their gang.

The group talked about their extensive criminal activities, boasted about their kidnapping activities and how they channel the monies and ransoms collected from victims through covert cells to their affiliate bodies to sustain terrorism financing, gun-running and drug peddling.

Apart from organising social gatherings in the forests, these bandits use the money to stockpile arms and ammunition. They also buy food, assorted beers, drugs, phones, recharge cards, data subscriptions and many other things to ease their living in the forest.

Unfortunately, Sule Yellow met his waterloo earlier in March. He became the victim of the popular Ghanaian proverb which teaches one how to handle a fly that perches on the scrotum with care. He was arrested by the Nigerian military.

Sule Yellow is not the only culprit who operates a TikTok account. Several other bandit kingpins in military camouflage have also gone live on TikTok to render financial assistance to their followers. Several users were seen sharing their account numbers in the comment section.

So far, Nigeria has continued to grapple with serious security threats ranging from terrorism and banditry to kidnapping and violent criminalities. The country now ranks among the world’s most terrorism-affected countries, placing sixth on the Global Terrorism Index.

The menace of banditry is no longer a northern affair. The more perturbing aspect is its incursions into the Southwestern part of the country.

Villagers are snatched from their homes. Others are abducted on their ways to farms, churches and mosques. Couples are seized at their gates. For those unable to meet ransom demands, death is swift and brutal.

The advent of social media has been no doubt life transforming and life defining for many people around the globe. Nigerians are no exceptions.

Just as social media has been an unprecedented opportunity to connect, giving people a voice to change their lives, it has also been a breeding ground for all sorts.

TikTok is one of such spaces. It has offered terrorist groups the ability to disseminate images and videos at a rapid pace to a borderless audience.

In Nigeria, terrorist activities have become endemic. A cursory look at these activities will prove that the social media has become a platform for propagating terrorism.

TikTok is very popular with young audiences – and Nigerians are no exception. It appears to be the most popular social media platform in Northern Nigeria. It has gained dominance by the day, and is gradually diverting young Nigerians from other social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

Checks by The Nation revealed that Facebook has the highest number of users in Nigeria at 38.7 million, reaching 16.4% of the population. TikTok follows closely with 37.4 million users, accounting for 15.8% of Nigerians.

Bandits as new ‘influencers’

These bandits are not ghosts. They operate from known hideouts, vast forest belts spanning Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna, among others. They move in convoys of motorcycles, communicate openly, collect ransoms, and, inevitably, rely on financiers and middlemen.

The Nation‘s findings revealed that numerous terrorist groups and individuals in Nigeria have adapted the use of social media to recruit and proselytize on the basis of its wide reach, ability to connect individuals around the world and immediate impact on users.

Most of the TikTok accounts show these individuals flaunting cash or images of them in military camouflage wielding a rifle or wearing a bandolier.

On TikTok, they have found an online appeal after their despicable acts of terror and bloodshed. Their digital footprints are now carried beyond their sphere of control, thanks to social media platforms, especially Facebook, X, and TikTok.

Recently, a viral TikTok livestream featured bandits conducting giveaways, distributing over N100m within the space of 30 minutes through their various TikTok accounts.

This bizzare situation sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing displeasure over the security agencies’ inability to apprehend the criminals.

On many occasions, these accounts flaunted arms to instill fear and attract impressions. They have been seen in several online clips brandishing the Russian Kalashnikov, a shoulder weapon commonly used by jihadi terrorists.

These bandits have become notorious and bold, flaunting their activities on social media without fear of the security agents locating them. They have unfettered access to high speed internet connections free of state controls. They evade detection from the tech company and exploit the online platform for their antics.

The Federal Government formally declared bandits as terrorists in November 2021. This designation meant tougher sanctions under the terrorism prevention act for suspected bandit gunmen as well as their informants and supporters, such as those caught providing these criminals with arms, fuel and food.

Some bandits share the ransom paid to them on TikTok under the guise of “giveaway”. By their mode of operation, their online presence fit into the various definitional frameworks of an organised criminal group.

The economy of TikTok livestream also revolves around virtual gifts. Users purchase TikTok ‘coins’ with real currency (Naira or Dollars) and send them to themselves during live broadcasts.

These bandits enjoy some acceptance and patronage on social media. The account users spread terror, demonstrating their kidnap-for-ransom escapades and celebrating their cruelty. Videos of the live session garnered millions of views on the Chinese-owned social network.

The social network is not alone in finding it difficult to stop extremists from promoting hate on its global platform. Facebook, Twitter and Google’s YouTube similarly have struggled to stop a tidal wave of violent and harmful materials from spreading online despite increased efforts.

The Nation tracked several accounts linked to suspected bandits on TikTok, which have been used to spread propaganda and messages in local language.

By using local languages, they have enjoyed the freedom to gather audiences and create a false image of themselves in order to push themselves on potential recruits through propaganda messages reaching millions of young people.

The terrorists are not only posting textual information, they also post videos and photos designed to attract new recruits and spread their radical ideology.

Further checks revealed that these accounts are openly identifying bandits proudly displaying firearms and donning military or police uniforms.

Display not peculiar to Nigeria

The brazen display by these bandits and terrorists is not unique to Nigeria. From the Islamic State’s sophisticated media machinery to al-Qaeda channels on Telegram and violent far-right networks operating across Europe and North America, terrorist organisations have transformed digital platforms into strategic assets, according to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).

An Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) report titled ‘CaliphateTok’ identified an active network of at least 20 Islamic State-supporting TikTok accounts that collectively amassed more than one million views. Europol has similarly documented the presence of terrorist and violent extremist content on the platform.

In September 2023, Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) and TikTok coordinated a multinational operation involving 11 countries that identified more than 2,100 pieces of suspected terrorist and violent extremist content, including material linked to jihadist and violent far-right networks.

These accounts are also disseminating propaganda messages and sermons by extreme ideologues. Terrorists, violent extremists and organised criminal groups have successfully exploited vulnerabilities in the social media to manipulate people and disseminate conspiracy theories.

Terrorists have discovered that social media can be important tools for recruitment of fighters and supporters and for the dissemination of their world views. IS has been very deft in using Twitter and its English language magazine, Dabiq, for its propaganda.

To demonstrate power, JAS releases gruesome videos of executions, including beheadings of captured soldiers and civilians, instilling fear and showcasing its strength vis-à-vis the Nigerian government and its allies.

YouTube is also an important platform through which ISWAP shares longer propaganda videos, despite the platform’s ongoing efforts to curb such content.

Senate orders arrest

TikTok has a digital footprint for each user. For example, a user can see who and who visited his page. As you are checking him/her out, he/she also can check you out. Security agencies have been tasked to utilise tools and intelligence to arrest these criminal elements.

The Senate has called on security agencies to urgently intensify surveillance and enforcement actions against bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and financial proceeds on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, on the rising wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions. Cybercrime Centre and other relevant security agencies to track, monitor and arrest individuals who use social media platforms to publicise criminal operations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed alarm that armed groups were no longer operating covertly but were instead leveraging digital platforms to project influence, flaunt ill-got wealth and, in some cases, carry out public “giveaways” believed to be funded through criminal activity.

She said: “Bandits and terrorists carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok.”

The senator wondered why such overt digital footprints had not translated into arrests by relevant security agencies, particularly units mandated to track cyber-enabled crimes.

“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media. Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.

The additional prayer was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District and received broad support across party lines, reflecting growing legislative concern over the intersection of insecurity and unchecked digital exposure by criminal elements.

Responding to the development, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio described the conduct of the suspects as a direct affront to state authority and a troubling display of impunity.

“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” Akpabio said.

He warned that the open circulation of videos showing cash displays and criminal activities on social media platforms amounted to a deliberate attempt to ridicule government institutions and undermine public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added.

The Senate President urged intelligence and security agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national security priority, calling for improved coordination and real-time response to online intelligence.

“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge. Whenever anybody finds such content, bring it to the attention of the Senate, and we shall invite the relevant federal authorities to explain why those people have not been apprehended,” he said.

He also emphasised the need for accountability mechanisms that would ensure the public is informed once arrests are made and prosecutions commenced.

“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” the Senate President stated.

Security agencies effort

For years, Nigerians have been assured that security forces are “on top of the situation,” that the war is being won. But daily headlines tell a different situation.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, recently warned that the Nigerian military could not tackle the country’s increasingly complex security challenges alone.

He, however, underscored the importance of stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, local communities and other critical stakeholders.

According to the Army Chief, contemporary threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality require a coordinated, multi-dimensional response that extends beyond military operations.

He noted that enhanced intelligence sharing, community engagement and inter-agency cooperation remained vital to achieving sustainable peace and security across the nation.Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to their respective geopolitical zones as part of efforts to strengthen ongoing operations aimed at addressing the country’s growing insecurity.

According to the IG, the deployment was designed to reinforce operational oversight, enhance intelligence-led policing and improve coordination among security personnel in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

As part of broader efforts to enhance inter-state security cooperation, the IGP also directed Commissioners of Police to establish cross-border patrols to prevent criminals from exploiting jurisdictional boundaries to evade arrest after committing offences.

TikTok intensifies safety measures in Nigeria, removes over 4m videos in Q4 2025

TikTok recently released its Q4 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, revealing a significant crackdown on policy-violating content within Nigeria. The report underscores the platform’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer, more trusted environment for its millions of Nigerian users.

In the final quarter of 2025, TikTok removed 4,021,252 videos in Nigeria for failing to adhere to its Community Guidelines. The report highlights a highly efficient automated moderation system, with 99.9% of these videos being identified and removed proactively before they were even reported by users.

Furthermore, 98.4 per cent of the flagged content was taken down within 24 hours of being posted, signaling a robust investment in rapid-response technology.

These local figures are part of a massive global effort, where TikTok removed over 175 million videos worldwide during the same period. This global volume represents only about 0.5 per cent of the total content uploaded to the platform, suggesting that while millions are removed, the vast majority of the platform’s content remains compliant with safety standards.

To enforce these standards, TikTok is employing multiple layers of defense, including automated detection models and “invisible watermarking”. The platform also utilises C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) Content Credentials, an industry-standard technology that embeds metadata into content, signaling to safety teams and other participating platforms when material has been generated by AI.

These technological safeguards have been instrumental in the global fight against misinformation, with over 1.3 billion videos successfully labeled to date across the platform.

TikTok maintains that its safety strategy is two-pronged: combining sophisticated automated moderation with the human expertise of thousands of trust and safety professionals worldwide.

Checks by The Nation regarding TikTok’s guidelines revealed that it prohibits posts that promote violent extremist organisations.

“We are committed to bringing people together in a way that does not lead to physical conflict. We recognise that online content related to violence can cause real-world harm.

“We do not allow any violent threats, promotion of violence, incitement to violence, or promotion of criminal activities that may harm people, animals, or property.

“If there is a specific, credible and imminent threat to human life or serious physical injury, we report it to relevant law enforcement authorities.

“We want you to share what inspires you, but TikTok is not a place to spread beliefs or propaganda that encourage violence or hate.

“We do not allow the presence of violent and hateful organisations or individuals on our platform.

“These actors include violent extremists, violent criminal organisations, violent political organisations, hateful organisations, and individuals who cause serial or mass violence.

“If we become aware that any of these actors may be on our platform, we will conduct a thorough review – including off-platform behavior – which may result in an account ban.

“Often the ideas of these actors are amplified by others. We do not allow anyone to promote or provide material support to violent or hateful actors.

“Content that may appear neutral, such as featuring a quote from a hateful organisation or individual, must make clear that there is no intent to promote it.

“We make limited exceptions for discussions about violent political organisations.

Mixed reactions from security experts have placed security agencies on the edge. Some lamented the inability of security forces to locate and neutralise the bandits terrorising the country.

Others condemned the delayed response and apparent inaction by authorities, demanding improved security measures and a reassessment of law enforcement priorities.

An expert, Lekan Adigun, believes that terrorists have been highly adaptable to changes in how their messages are disseminated around the world.

He said: “If our intelligence system is still working, this is more than enough data to identify, track, arrest, and prosecute these criminals. We have DIA, DSS, NIA”. (The Nation)

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